Which VC filter holder approach is preferable?

[Frank_E]

this forum is extremely helpful
the advice I have received is much appreciated

I guess there is probably some moral obligation on my part to elaborate on what conclusions and decisions I finally came to

did purchase the enlarger. It is the Omega 5xL with condenser setup. Great condition and paid a reasonable amount ($140 Cdn with turret and 3 Nikkor lenses and full set of negative holders).

Although I already had a set of small below the lens VC filters which fit in the Omega "below the lens holder", since I am more used to (and think I would prefer) the larger VC filters I have purchase a 6x6 inch set for "above the lens, in the condenser housing" use. This way I can try both to see if in fact I have a preference.

thanks again for the feedback

ps my prior experience with this same enlarger and the use of the larger VC filters was at a workshop that LFF member Bob Carnie put on at Gallery 44 here in Toronto. great instructor great facilities, learned alot

[IanG]

Putting a filter below the lens decidely sucks compared to above the condensors.

Have you tried it ?

My experience is it makes no difference whatsoever and I've used both for 25+ years. I used a 5x4 enlarger with below the lens filters and a Durst for 35mm.MF with a filter drawer then later a colour head.

If anything the filters in the filter drawers faded and became patchy faster. Ilford recommend replacing either type every few years anyway.

Ian

[Merg Ross]

My experience is it makes no difference whatsoever and I've used both for 25+ years. I used a 5x4 enlarger with below the lens filters and a Durst for 35mm.MF with a filter drawer then later a colour head.

Ian

My experience, exactly. It makes no difference. I have also used the Durst (606) with drawer and for the past 40 years an Omega DII with filters below the lens.

[Drew Wiley]

I only use the best quality coated glass filters below the lens, that is, for enlargements
(vs use as a contact printing light). Gel filter get dirty or scratched much more easily.
Polyester or acetate filters will affect sharpness. I prefer to use a colorhead. But agreed ... for typical VC papers, especially from LF negs, it doesn't make much difference.

[IanG]

I only use the best quality coated glass filters below the lens, that is, for enlargements
(vs use as a contact printing light). Gel filter get dirty or scratched much more easily.
Polyester or acetate filters will affect sharpness. I prefer to use a colorhead. But agreed ... for typical VC papers, especially from LF negs, it doesn't make much difference.

I found the Ilford below the lens filter sets very robust, they are gel filters but in a holder and they never seemed to get dirty or scratched, but I always put them away after each session.

Ian

[ic-racer]

I plan to do split grade printing.

.

A below the lens holder may be less likely to move the head during the filter swap. Other than that it is a toss-up. Cranking the Magenta and Yellow from 0 to 200 between each exposure is going to be a pain, so using the below the individual filters is probably the way to go.